Reflections on 2010

This past year flew by like a time warp! Somehow all my children are 5 and older, and one is even in double-digits. Josh and I have passed the 30's hump and we're well on our way to 40. I get nauseous thinking about it. We've got physical injuries to show for it. Well, at least I do. I've currently got a stress fracture in my left foot (towards the front where the toes meet the foot). We're at Massanutten Resort in VA on a ski vacation, and I'm sitting on my tuchus (sp?) the whole time. Strangely enough, I am used to this situation. It seems like not too long ago when I was on crutches with a stress fracture in my foot...oh yeah, that was 2008 when I had almost broken my right heel!
So, this is a year of transition.

Interruption for a question--is the evil man in Bailey's Billions the same actor who played Rooster in the movie, Annie?

Back to transition. Julia is in her last year at Perelman. Next year we have decided that she is going to Bala Cynwyd Middle School, our local public middle school. Julia loves gymnastics so much, and spends so much time at the gym, that it would be impossible for her to remain on the team and also take on the added stresses of a double-language-curriculum at 6th grade level. Life deserves balance. I hope she realizes that this is one of the reasons that we are making this decision. 

Libi is having a much better year now than she did last year. She has different children in her class and it seems to be a valuable change.  We allowed Libi to begin taking singing lessons in October and she absolutely loves them! She already had her first recital where she sang "Yesterday" by the Beatles. click to link to: Libi's Recital. Josh and I have worked very hard to appreciate Libi's unique qualities this Fall. For example, Libi got a Boxing Ball for Hanukah, and I had already got her a dart board to hang in her room. She's so funny! She is very lovable when she knows that she's being appreciated!!

Marigold has completely grown up. Period. End of story. She's 5 going on 25. Definitely 3rd child syndrome! She doesn't own it though. Often she will speak in baby talk, or want to be carried places. What an actress. I can't write too much for fear of just going overboard. She started taking gymnastics lessons at PGC this fall. That's the same gym where Julia is on the team.  She is immediately showing a talent and predilection for the sport.

Interruption #2: I think that both Rooster and his Sticky Fingers Girlfriend are in Bailey's Billions as another evil couple!! hee hee. And Rooster has gained like 50 pounds since Annie. Now I'm not sure that it's her...she just has a similar voice. I'll have to ask Josh when he gets home. It's Meg Tilly. Oh well. But I'm right about Rooster! It's Tim Curry!

LOVE THIS!!

Thinking about Sukkot

The following is a list of qualities we think about on Sukkot; each is connected to one of the Hakafot, and to one of our forefathers (see note about our 'Emahot' as well). I found these descriptions to be inspiring--they just made me feel good.

Hesed—Abraham
For I have said: The world shall be built with kindness. Psalms 89:3

Gevurah—Isaac
Yours is the arm with strength, show us the
power of Your hand, raise high Your right hand. Psalms 89:14

Tiferet—Jacob
Grant truth to Jacob, kindness to Abraham. Michah 7:20

Netzah—Moses
There is delight at Your
right hand for triumph. Psalms 16:11

Hod—Aaron
Hashem, our Lord, how mighty is Your Name throughout the earth; for it were fit that You place Your splendor above the heavens. Psalms 8:2

Yesod—Joseph
Hashem is righteous in all His ways; virtuous in all
His deeds. Psalms 145:17

Shekhinah—David
In the merit of him who stood in the granary and
was shown favor with fire.

Female Guests

Ushpizot—A 16th-century tradition includes seven female guests as well. They are Sarah, Miriam, Deborah, Hannah, Abigail, Hulda and Esther. Some traditions substitute Rachel, Rebecca and Leah for three of these guests.

Marigold's essay

Marigldlovezode
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I love you
I love hannauhhhhhhhhrhhhhggghhhhhhhbbbbbhhbhhhhhhhgggv


-- Post From My iPhone

Happy New Year

The new year has begun and so much has changed yet life is the same. Julia is competing in her first ESGA (USAG) meet as a Level 5 gymnast on Saturday. We are so excited and proud of her! Unfortunately, all the ESAG meets are on Saturdays, midday, so we cannot attend shul on those days. We have made the choice to attend the meets and see where Julia's gymnastics will take her. We are big (HUGE) hypocrites, yes we are. Julia has also increased her practices to 3 evenings a week from 5:45-9pm. It is a huge commitment. She still loves gymnastics though. Most of her good friends are at the gym rather than at school. When the practices and commitment don't make her happy, then we will reconsider her place on the Mannettes.






Libi has been taking guitar lessons. She really seems to like it, although she doesn't want to practice at all. She's proud of the uniqueness of her skill. Hardly anyone her age plays guitar, but she showed a little interest in it so I allowed her to take some lessons.

Marigold is still just delicious! (Although she wouldn't want me to say that.) She dresses herself and has a cute personal style. She is very social and is beginning to navigate her way through friendships--expectations and feelings at a four year old level. She feels very deeply.

Josh and I are still busy. Josh is this year's Men's Club President at our shul, while I am a co-chair of the Preschool Board, a co-chair of the Membership Committee, a member of the Board of Directors of the synagogue, and the Chair of the Berger Grant Committee (as of today). We are also participating in a Jewish learning program where we meet once weekly with a Rabbi and follow a curriculum given by Partners in Torah. I feel like I'm writing a resume. But this our life! Of course, this is all after we take care of the kids and ourselves, and our house and the cats.

I realize that many other people choose not to get so involved in these activities. This might give them more personal time. More time to get their heads together, to plan, to organize, clean, ...relax... And those are all good things. But I just can't see myself without all the extra responsibilities. Maybe one day I'll give one of them up.